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Man Sues Bible Publishers over Verses on Homosexuality

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:18 pm
by Sheenar
I usually take any article from Citizenlink with a grain of salt...but after reading this, I think the U.S. may be headed in the same direction as Canada and the U.K. in regarding Scripture as hate speech.

Article

A Michigan man is suing Zondervan Publishing and Thomas Nelson Publishing, claiming biblical references to homosexuality as a sin violate his constitutional rights and have caused him emotional pain and mental instability.

Bradley LaShawn Fowler, 39, is seeking $60 million from Zondervan and $10 million from Thomas Nelson, The Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press reported. He is representing himself in both claims.

Fowler claims the Bible has made him an outcast and contributed to physical discomfort and periods of "demoralization, chaos and bewilderment."

"As frivolous as this case may sound, it's an indicator of where the homosexual agenda is headed," said Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "Ten years from now, this type of case won't be humorous at all; we'll see organizations like the ACLU dedicating resources to them because such 'language' will no longer be considered protected speech.

"Sweden, Canada and the U.K. are already prosecuting religious speech as 'hate' speech, as it relates to the biblical view of homosexuality."

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:22 pm
by Warrior4Christ
That's ridiculous!

Those two publishers aren't the only ones who publish the Bible. Why not just sue God?

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:29 pm
by Mr. SmartyPants
This is just so absolutely illogical on so many levels.

The guy's a money-hungry whackjob.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:34 pm
by Cognitive Gear
So, if he wins, can I sue a publisher for the things that other religious texts say?

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:34 pm
by RidleyofZebes
I really have nothing to say, or anything I can say, except that how disappointed I am in this. It breaks my heart that we're seeing things like this happening in the world today. I don't like to say we're living in the end times for fear of sounding cliché, but the more I look, the more this seems to be the case. Makes me sick to my gut.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:36 pm
by sharien chan
Can I sue Confucius/people who publish his works because he caused me mental anguish during my philosophy: intro to non western thought final exam?

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:40 pm
by ssj2gohan61
ridiculous and im sure someone could sue him for trying to change there view on religious beliefs i highly doubt he will win as isnt there some sort of separation between church and state?

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:56 pm
by Tsukuyomi
I'm sorry, but it sounds to me like he just wants the money u_u

I can say more, but I won't.

I'm sorry (again), but what stopped him from doing this sooner? If he has such a case, what stopped him before o.O?

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:02 pm
by Etoh*the*Greato
Yeah, I'm with the "Money Grubbing Whackjob" comment, but every time I hear the term "the Homosexual Agenda" used as though all gay people are this single corporate entity out to destroy america I just think of the character from City of Heroes called the Homosexual Agenda.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:07 pm
by Shao Feng-Li
Something tells me that guy won't die a pretty death...

He should sue the author.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:16 pm
by Tsukuyomi
"Where in the world is. Carmen Sandiego?"

I used to watch the animated series and watched the game show as well \o.o/

I think he shouldn't sue anyone at all u_u

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:42 pm
by LadyRushia
How stupid.

I'm gonna sue all the atheists for causing me emotional harm by constantly and forcefully telling me that God doesn't exist and that Christians are ignorant nut jobs.

This is why I hate double standards with a passion.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:15 pm
by ssj2gohan61
lol thats a good idea LR i could become rich by doing this!! lol jk jk that is a good point, his case will go no where.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:28 pm
by Yuen Fei Lung
LadyRushia (post: 1243416) wrote:How stupid.

I'm gonna sue all the atheists for causing me emotional harm by constantly and forcefully telling me that God doesn't exist and that Christians are ignorant nut jobs.


You and me both.

This guy is just out to make a buck--nothing more.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:46 pm
by Raiden no Kishi
Etoh*the*Greato (post: 1243404) wrote:Yeah, I'm with the "Money Grubbing Whackjob" comment, but every time I hear the term "the Homosexual Agenda" used as though all gay people are this single corporate entity out to destroy america I just think of the character from City of Heroes called the Homosexual Agenda.


MacHall/Three Panel Soul fan? Nice.

I'll see your "money-grubbing whackjob" and raise you a "direly-misinformed beloved creature of God who needs guidance and prayer . . . who is also behaving like a money-grubbing whackjob". However incredulous/outraged we may be at his antics, we must remember that our Lord died for him and loves him as much as he loves us.

However, if he wins, I want to sue him for his case causing me mental anguish at the fact that A) people like him are even taken seriously, B) bringing painfully to my mind the disgusting entitlement mentality our world is caught up in, and C) making me sick with his pathetic ploy for undeserved money and recognition. I'll sue him for my legal costs, the exact amount that he's suing the Bible producers for, and five bucks. I'll pay my lawyer(s), give the money back to the publishers, and then buy one of those Venti Blended Lemonades that Starbucks is selling. Dang, but those are good.

.rai//

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:53 pm
by Shilohan ninja
That's kind of a trend I've been seeing lately.
Someone sees (or idiotically does) something stupid or something they consider stupid and the take someone, anyone affilliated with it to court and make a mountain out of an insignificant pile of poo! We as "Americans" have taken our freedoms and privileges and twisted them to our own liking in the most stupidly extreme ways! It bugs me like none other how we've become so blastid sue-happy! It's like the new way to get money, nowadays! Sure, there are still more scams and cons out there than you can shake a gavel at, but sueing people seems to be the new way to really hit the big time. (not to mention totally ruin the lives and dignity of those you're seeking money from.) It's an epidemic.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:09 pm
by Radical Dreamer
My gosh, that is ridiculous. Seriously, do people have nothing better to do with their lives? XDD

That being the case I'm totally suing the next world religion that gets on my nerves. I totally have some days off this summer, I can handle it.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:21 pm
by Tsukuyomi
Radical Dreamer (post: 1243464) wrote:My gosh, that is ridiculous. Seriously, do people have nothing better to do with their lives? XDD

That being the case I'm totally suing the next world religion that gets on my nerves. I totally have some days off this summer, I can handle it.


Sorry, but.. HAHAHAHA, THAT WAS FUNNY XDD

That is all u_u/

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:07 am
by Maledicte
What a lout. He can

--move
--read a version that he's more comfortable with
--read any religious text that he's more comfortable with
--stay away from any book at all because he's likely to find something offensive in it, oh dearie me
--and stay away from movies too. Because by golly all the main characters are heterosexual

However, if he wins, I want to sue him for his case causing me mental anguish at the fact that A) people like him are even taken seriously, B) bringing painfully to my mind the disgusting entitlement mentality our world is caught up in, and C) making me sick with his pathetic ploy for undeserved money and recognition. I'll sue him for my legal costs, the exact amount that he's suing the Bible producers for, and five bucks. I'll pay my lawyer(s), give the money back to the publishers, and then buy one of those Venti Blended Lemonades that Starbucks is selling. Dang, but those are good.


Sounds like a plan. :thumb:

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:43 am
by Technomancer
Sheenar (post: 1243377) wrote:"Sweden, Canada and the U.K. are already prosecuting religious speech as 'hate' speech, as it relates to the biblical view of homosexuality."


While I can't speak for Sweden or the UK, he is definately wrong as to Canada.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:43 am
by Warrior 4 Jesus
I suppose it's time to sue Gainax for the time I got incredibly depressed after watching End of Evangelion (lol). Where do personal responsibility and moral/godly laws come into play?

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:11 am
by ChristianKitsune
O_O
wooow...

Like the publishing companies wrote the Bible... =_= This guy is crazy...

Glad the God that he hates so much still loves him though.

I sincerly hope this isn't where our country is headed...if that guy wins this case... *shakes head*

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:23 am
by rocklobster
sighs...What next? Sue the Koran? I think homesexuality is denounced in the Muslim religion too, if I'm not mistaken.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:54 am
by beau99
rocklobster (post: 1243515) wrote:sighs...What next? Sue the Koran? I think homesexuality is denounced in the Muslim religion too, if I'm not mistaken.


It is, even moreso.

In the more strict Muslim countries, if you announce you're gay, you die by penalty of law.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:19 am
by MBlight
OMW! I think this is so funny and so weird at the same time! Ditto to all the people who said he should sue the Author... that could be amusing!

But seriously, imagine how confused and deceived he must be to do something like this? I really pity him!

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:51 am
by Roxas2210
I also believe we are entering the last years. This just strenthens that theory. If people are going to start sueing the people who reproduce the bible, then the next thing we can expect to see from humanity is the prosicution of the christian community as a whole. I hope humanity will come to its senses and stop this nonsense.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:23 pm
by Peanut
I actually find this entire thing to be absolutely hilarious. I mean, really, what did Zondervan do? Nothing! It's not like they wrote the text. Or maybe he's claiming there's some sort of conspiracy theory and that the ancient texts we have that contain these verses were actually made by Zondervan in some massive attempt to stamp out homosexuality. Because clearly Biblical scholars, archaeologist, and every other serious scholar who knows anything about the bible are all just money hungry crooks who have been paid off to keep this lie going. And clearly Zondervan has the money to pull off such an elaborate plan. Oh those tricky Christian publishers! XD

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:58 pm
by uc pseudonym
Isn't it safe to assume this case will be thrown out of court and is currently being blown out of proportion?

Technomancer wrote:While I can't speak for Sweden or the UK, he is definately wrong as to Canada.

Are you sure? I'm fairly certain he refers to a few cases I recall about the definition of hate speech in Canada. In attempting to find a reputable source for these my searches are bogged down by various religious sites, but I would hope this is a legitimate copy of a ruling that people like Bruce Hausknecht would consider an attack on free speech:
http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/bible-ruled-hate-speech.htm

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:20 pm
by Radical Dreamer
uc pseudonym (post: 1243608) wrote:Isn't it safe to assume this case will be thrown out of court and is currently being blown out of proportion?


Yeah pretty much. XD It does make me sad/amused that people even think to make cases like this, but hey, stupid people do stupid things. XD

PostPosted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:28 pm
by Tsukuyomi
Radical Dreamer (post: 1243638) wrote:Yeah pretty much. XD It does make me sad/amused that people even think to make cases like this, but hey, stupid people do stupid things. XD


QFH

Quoted For History.. not Hith xDD;